Formula One to replace grid girls with grid kids

Formula One will swap its recently scrapped grid girls program with grid kids, a move that will incorporate youth competitors as mascots in a bid to boost its popularity among its young followers.

In a statement, director of Formula One's commercial operations, Sean Bratches, said the new initiative would allow racing competitors currently in karting or junior formulae levels a chance to stand alongside their heroes on the grid as they prepare for Grand Prix races.

"This will be an extraordinary moment for these youngsters: imagine, standing beside their heroes, watch as they prepare to race, the elite of the elite in motorsport, to be there, alongside them in those precious few minutes just before the start," Bratches said.

"What better way to inspire the next generation of Formula One heroes?"

Grid girls will be replaced at Grands Prix by grid kids.

Photo: FRANK AUGSTEIN

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Bratches a week ago announced an end to the use of grid girls in all competitions starting with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 25, on the basis that it was outdated and no longer resonated with the F1 brand.

Grid girls traditionally undertook a variety of promotional activities during a Grand Prix event and would accompany the winning drivers on the podium during the awards ceremony.

Jean Todd, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the world motorsport governing body, which is to work in partnership with Formula One in the grid kids scheme, also said the initiative would give young drivers a goal to aim for.

"Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport and the dream of every young racer competing the junior series that make up the FIA's single-seater pyramid, from karting all the way to F1," he said.

"We are therefore delighted to bring that dream a little closer by giving the future champions of our sport the opportunity to stand alongside their heroes on the grid in the build-up to the race start."